Howard County’s government operates a school system, a police department with more than 440 sworn officers, a fire department, a water and sewer system, a landfill and six branch libraries that enjoy one of the highest per-capita circulation rates in the nation.
The county raises money principally from property and income taxes and employs more than 2,600 people in goverment services, public safety, facilities and community services. More than half of the government’s expected $1.4 billion in revenue collected this fiscal year will pay for the county’s public schools, which are overseen by the seven elected members of the Howard County Board of Education. The school system employs more than 7,800 people.
Ken Ulman, a Democrat, was elected to his second four-year term as county executive in 2010. The five members of the County Council (see page 24) also serve four-year terms.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
The Columbia Association (CA) resembles a local government, private organization, recreation business and civic organization rolled into one. It’s a private, nonprofit community service corporation with a board of directors elected by the residents of Columbia’s 10 villages. Supported by two major revenue sources — an annual “tax” paid by Columbians and fees charged for its programs and services — CA operates a broad scope of facilities such as parks, pathways, pools, tennis courts, fitness clubs, golf courses and 3,400 acres of open space.
CA’s system of governance also filters down to the neighborhood level. Each Columbia village has its own community association and resident-elected village board, which represents residents on neighborhood issues and CA policies and procedures.
STATE AND NATIONAL
County citizens are represented in the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis by three senators and eight delegates from three legislative districts. Each serves a four-year term.
County¿Executive
Ken Ulman 410-313-2013
County¿Council
410-313-2001
Courtney Watson (D) District 1
Calvin Ball (D) District 2
Jennifer Terrasa (D) District 3
Mary Kay Sigaty (D) District 4
Greg Fox (R) District 5
Local¿Members¿of the Maryland General¿Assembly
District 12
Sen. Edward Kasemeyer (D)
410-242-5699
District 12A
Del. Steven DeBoy Sr. (D)
410-247-9400
Del. James Malone Jr. (D)
410-247-2300
District 12B
Del. Elizabeth Bobo (D)
410-997-2626
District 13
Sen. James Robey (D)
410-841-3572 (Annapolis)
Del. Shane Pendergrass (D)
410-841-3139 (Annapolis)
Del. Frank Turner (D)
410-841-3246 (Annapolis)
Del. Guy Guzzone (D)
410-841-3471 (Annapolis)
District 9
Sen. Allan Kittleman (R)
410-841-3671 (Annapolis)
District 9A
Del. Gail Bates (R)
410-841-3556 (Annapolis)
Del. Warren Miller (R)
410-841-3582 (Annapolis)
U.S. Senators
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D)
410-962-4510
Sen. Ben Cardin (D)
410-962-4436
U.S. House¿of¿Representatives
Maryland 3rd District
Rep. John Sarbanes (D)
410-832-8890
Maryland 7th District
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D)
410-465-8259
Important phone numbers
Driver’s Licenses
Motor Vehicle Administration
1-800-950-1682, TTY 1-800-492-4575
MVA¿Express Office Columbia
1-800-950-1682, TTY 1-800-492-4575
Licenses
Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (Includes Animal Licenses) 410-313-2455
Voter¿Information
Howard County Board of Elections 410-313-5820
Recycling Or Trash
Bureau of Environmental Services 410-313-6444
Information¿&¿Referral
410-313-3000, TTY 410-313-2323
Columbia¿Association
410-715-3000
Howard¿County¿Police¿Department
General Inquiries 410-313-3200
Crime Tips 410-313-STOP (7867)